John writes to his children because he doesn't want them to sin, but he's realistic. If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father. Jesus Christ the righteous. He's the propitiation for our sins.
The word 'advocate' is remarkable. It's someone who stands beside you, argues your case, represents you. Not someone who excuses the sin or minimizes it, but someone who stands with you before God. And that advocate is righteous. He has standing. He can make the argument.
What stops me is the logic. The righteous one is our advocate. He's also the one who was sinless. His righteousness doesn't condemn us. It represents us. When Jesus stands before the Father on your behalf, the Father sees Jesus's righteousness as the basis for accepting you. That changes the entire dynamic of accountability.
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